Business licences and permits
In order to operate your business lawfully, you will need to comply with certain health and safety regulations. Certain businesses require a business trading licence to operate, and some may need to comply with additional regulations.
Business licences
You must apply for a business licence with the City if your business operations include:
- sale and/or supply of meals;
- hawking of meals; or
- health services and/or entertainment.
Informal trading permits
Informal traders will need to apply for a permit with the City of Cape Town. Our informal trading regulations are outlined in our informal trading page, but you can also go straight through to our permit application page in City Connect.
Food safety compliance
All businesses that handle food, including informal traders, are required to adhere to strict food regulations. For more information, please visit our
regulations for food businesses page.
Liquor licences and trading hours
You require a licence, by law, if you:
- sell or manufacture liquor; or
- want to extend your liquor trading hours.
View the Liquor Trading Hours Schedule for on-consumption premises.
Please note that applications for liquor licences are granted by the Western Cape Liquor Authority and not the City of Cape Town. The application process is explained in detail on the
Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA) website.
Read the
WCLA Liquor Trading Legislation
for more information on the application process and regulations around the sale and manufacturing of liquor.
If you already have a liquor licence, but want to extend your trading hours, you can apply for extended liquor trading hours through the City.
Real estate permits
You can submit applications for the following estate agent permits from the City:
- Estate agent permit
- Estate agent permit re-registration
- Fully certified principal agent permit
- Intern estate agent permit
Find out how to apply for the above permits via City Connect. Each guide includes a breakdown of the application process as well as the relevant forms.
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